First time I stared at my blogging template and dunno what to say. So I decided to write this down instead.

A really simple intro to Philosophy

Let's see. This is going to be very simple, without any technical terms, and is not boring at all. =p Just read and nod along the way, and try to see if you can disagree AT ALL, cos the conclusion isnt anything that you are going to like AT ALL. wahaha.

Everything has a cause.

Agree? Agree? Dont understand what I mean by the above statement? Omg, its so simple, everything has a cause la! If you find a book lying on the ground, you will think "someone caused it to fall on the ground" or "the curtains knocked it over". Or one day you find your leg inflicted with a bad sore, you wouldnt go thinking "nothing caused the sore. It just happened." You think that something must have caused it, even if you dont know what that something is. Even if that something might be God. "God caused it." In any case, everything has a cause.

Alright, since everyone is agreed that everything has a cause, let's proceed.

Every action I/you/everyone do now has a cause.

Well.. since you agreed to the previous one, I dont see how you can fail to agree to this. Why did your eyeballs moved? Cos you caused it to move la!

So we are agreed once again.

Then... because everything has a cause, everything that happened now couldnt have possibly been otherwise.

For event A to be different, event B and event C which caused it must have been different. But Event B and C couldnt have been different if event D and E which causes them have not been different... ad infinitum.

My voluntary actions are mostly caused by my existing desires.

Why did you lift your hand? Cos you desire to lift it loh. No trick here, dont bother resisting this. If someone raised your hand against your will, it will not be caused by your existing desires, but then its not voluntary actions anyway.

My existing desires are caused by my existing preferences.

Ok now wait a minute. What do you mean by "caused by existing preferences"? Can preferences cause anything? But stop! you are thinking too far. Simply put, why do you choose to like that flavor of icecream? Cos you have an innate preference for this flavor of icecream. Thats why you desire it. The preferences caused your desires.

Some people like to deny preferences caused their desires. They think their desires are purely that. They are born with the full set of desires. Well ok, let us grant this too. No problem at all!

Something caused me to have my existing desires/preferences. That something is not me.

Well, do you think you can choose your desires? or preferences? In any case, something caused it. You didnt choose it, therefore something that is not you must have chosen it. It may be your genes, it may be God, it may be pure chance. In any case, you didnt choose to have your existing preferences/desires, anymore than you choose to be pretty or ugly.

Ok we can pause here and recap. Lets take a look at the causal chain. (caused is represented by --->)

Something ---> desires/preferences ---> voluntary actions

ok now what the hell is going on here? Something caused me to produce actions (granted), and that something is desires (granted). BUT what caused my desires? ITS NOT ME! Something caused me to have desires to produce some actions in me!

AM I FREE? What is freedom? To produce actions that are voluntary. But if my desires are a result of some previous causes over which I have no control, how can I be considered free? A scientist can plausibly cause me to have certain desires by stimulating some parts of my brain. That isn't free. Neither is it free that I have my existing desires from birth. I didnt choose them, did you?

EVERYTHING has a cause. Something caused my desires to be exactly as they are now, and something caused that something, and something caused that something that caused that something. It goes back in an infinite chain of events, and everything couldnt possibly have happened otherwise. This means the Big Bang caused me to type certain alphabets in certain order according to certain desires I have, which are entirely beyond my control!

You are not free la!

Travelling

You know, I have always wanted to be a journalist. (some people know this)

Some people also know what my main ambition is, but I am not stating it here for fear of being seen as overly-ambitious/bu zhi liang li (damn, i cant seem to find the english equivalent of this phrase, anyone?)

But the reason why I wanted to be a journalist is not because I love to write; writing is only to facilitate the job. The real reason is: I want to travel! I want to experience so many things, and see so many different places! I want to see how other cultures/other people lead their lives, their philosophies, their attitudes, their expressions, their languages, their body languages, their beliefs! I want to see the natural wonders in the world! The untainted works of nature, the possibility of previously undiscovered sights!

I dont want to lead my life out on this tiny island, milling about my own tiny realm and sphere of beliefs. I want to know more! I want to expand my ways of thinking, jump out of my constrained space of concepts!

The world is like a treasure trove! It is a playground!

Television Psychology

There are probably many, many, many reasons why we love to watch television, but here's one possible factor from a psychological point of view.

We love to watch the raw display of emotions, readily garnered from the actors' (usually much exaggerated) expressions and actions.

Deep down inside, most of us probably secretly, or sub-consciously, wish that we could express our delicate emotions and feelings better; that a change of mood, or a sudden offense taken, or slight jump of heart, would be readily interpreted and understood, even if we consciously strive to conceal these feelings.

Not only from our own perspectives, but we would also like to interpret the people around us better, and faithfully to their own emotions. All of us have been accustomed to putting on masks around other people, that it is no longer a mere suspicion that others are doing the exact same thing. Expecially for those we are close to, we long to penetrate their masks, and access their inner feelings directly, to communicate heart-to-heart with them. Friendship is not so much as exposing your inner feelings by taking off your masks, but rather being read despite your masks.

And there is no better avenue for watching your secret desires enacted out: on television. The TV media is an excellent pool of raw emotions, where a slight slip of the mood is readily expressed as a frown, or a leap of heart by a laughing twinkle in the eye of a veteran actor. Expressions are exaggerated, and outwardly displayed; there are no hidden emotions that the co-actors cannot see, or even if they could not, we as audience would be able to. The actors have a deep "inner voice" that is worn on their faces and bodies. They are all you see, they are everything you can read from them, and they are the "true feelings" that the director wants to convey.

Watching television is the ultimate fantasy for people who sought to penetrate other people's inner self. As well as for people who always feel misunderstood, misinterpreted, or treated as too superficial. We watch television to get the sense of achievement of successfully interpreting other people's emotions, even hopefully to learn something from it. We watch television as a catharsis, observing actors display raw emotions which we didnt dare show, as a secret fulfillment to the desire to be successfully, and faithfully interpreted.

This is probably why good/bad acting is so important for the success of a drama/movie. It is even more crucial then a good storyline. Well, maybe the storyline is just as crucial anyway; without good acting, any movie is doomed to fail, just as a movie with good acting but bad plot is likely to flop as well.

'presence'

You know how you always wish that the sweating idiots on the bus or mrt don't press so close against you, how when you are walking on the tiny pathways, you wish the other passers-by don't walk so close in front or behind you, or worse, beside you? Well, you are secretly wishing you have more 'presence', the thing to have to automatically repel strangers (sometimes even friends, but thats just unfortunate). And here's the ultimate guide to having more of this mystical 'presence'.

1. Of course, one immediately obvious way to achieve the 'presence' overnight is to have body odor. Stop bathing for 3-4 days, and you will find your body 'presence' a powerful thing for others to contend with. People will be walking, and standing, clear of you. What's more, the effect is accumulative; the longer you stay away from the bath, the larger your "clearance area" is.

Level of effectiveness:

2. Dress skimpily. Works wonder for women. The lesser you dress, the larger your clearance area will be, contrary to popular opinion. (The popular opinion is that lecherous men would try to cuddle up to you.) This is because in keeping these skimpily dressed women at more than arm's length away, it affords the men a greater and more "comprehensive" view, from head to top. You can't see much if you are right next to her, seriously. (Well, unless you are trying to peep down some particularly sinful boundaries.)

Level of effectiveness:

For men, it works too, just not as well as it would work for women. The reasons it works are entirely different too. Particularly if its some tight-skin clothing, and butt hugging tiny jeans. Dose yourself with a cloying amount of cologne, perfume etc, and you will find yourself walking free of people, particularly men (who are really the ones we want to avoid in the first place).

Level of effectiveness:


3. Intermingled with all the crap that clement usually produce (I dont mean literally), here is one which will actually work. Eye contact bespeaks a confidence that conveys your 'presence' in huge quantities. Be bold and look at everyone in the eye, holding your gaze until they look away, or walk away.

Danger with this method (only for pretty girls and skinny guys): If you are too pretty, your bold gaze might be misinterpreted as leading on (men are too dumb to tell the difference when it comes to pretty girls), and instead of scaring people away, you will be attracting loads of suitors. If you are too skinny, and you are a guy of course, a bold gaze might be seen as challenging, potentially turning your everyday commute into a bloody fight to work/school. (If you are not skinny, then your gaze would be assuredly interpreted as friendly.)

Level of effectiveness:

4. Carry a chopper around with you. Preferably the huge, gleaming type. Swing it about casually from time to time, in large arcs with random strokes. For best results, use [sponsors click here to insert your brand name] brand of chopper.

Level of effectiveness:

Respite

At least, it rained today.

Some days

"You know, Hobbes, some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help." - Calvin (Bill Waterson)

Moustache

It is probably true that Singaporean men, or rather Chinese men in general, do not grow moustache well.

Beside the fact that there is a saying thats something like "A chinese man with a moustache; a rat in a bush," there is also the fact that chinese probably dont have strong facial hair genes. A long thin beard maybe, but never a healthy robust moustache.

There is probably an evolutionary explanation behind this. European men have moustaches. Chinese men dont. What is the reason?

It has something to do with what is now referred to as "Snot poisoning," a fairly prevalent condition that infects European men in the Medieval times. Because of the damp weather conditions, particularly in the English Isle, it is inevitable that a fair amount of mucus is produced daily, in huge measurable amounts. And because hygiene at that time was never a problem, in the sense that it never ever occured to these horse-riding, busy warring knights of the Medieval, they never bothered to blow their noses before eating.

A direct result of which, the snot from their dripping noses flavored their largely tasteless food, though not without unhealthy consequences. In the long run, those men who do not have a bushy moustache, which acts as a safety net for the snot, gradually were weeded out of the European Continent, as we now know, snot is in fact rather unhealthy to say the least.

For the chinese, no such thing happened to them, resulting in the poor facial hair genes being transmitted strongly from generations to generations.

Now you know. A whole load of bullshit.

Wind

The wind is blowing today; How can it not be a Good day?

birds

Mary Oliver called one of their cousins "chinese philosophers", and upon chancing them in school today, I find that namesake pretty cute and apt.

They are the little stork-like white birds that are always standing around in NUS, what are they called? Egrets? Or storks? I dont know, but anyway it doesnt matter. One of them was standing on the pavement, head high, body erect, wings folded on his back, legs spread apart. Really look like one of the chinese philosophers we always see in drawings! hahaa..

I wonder what they do all day long: maybe they just fly around, find a place to land and wander about, looking for food and water, strutting about green shades and overlooking small rises.

I wouldnt mind being one of them... but for 2 reasons: 1. Humans have longer lifespans. 2. The girl I like happens to be a human, I think.

Though it must be said, the pull of being a birdbrain is still pretty strong.

weird

We have always looked out of our own eyes, for so long, that it is always a rude shock to see yourself in the mirror.

What is the image of yourself in your mind? Is it the man/woman in the mirror? Or is it the twin circles which form the limits of your vision? Which is the real you?

Is the person in the mirror really me? Why does it feel as though the face can be entirely different?

What about your name? What is your real name? Is it the name which you will respond to? Dont you feel a little weird when someone calls your name? Like he didnt really call you, but called something which you will respond to.

Try calling your own name? Is it weird? Does it feel like you are calling yourself? Do you feel like you tugged at something within yourself, or does it seem entirely alien?

What if your name isnt what your present name is? Would you be a different person?

Who are you? What is your real name? Do we have a real name? Do we need a real name? Or do we just need a signal to respond to?

Where is the you within you?

Romanticism

A couple of people has asked me from time to time: don't I feel weird to be writing about my feelings and personal affairs in my blog?

They feel embarrassed for me, or maybe embarrassed of me. Like an exhibitionist in words. But a romantic soul is not an exhibitionist.

And before you conjure up in your mind dim lightings, hazy fog and candlelight dinners in connection with the word "romantic", let me tell you what it really means to be romantic.

The romantic movement started off in the late 18th century Europe, celebrating the simplicity of love, and not only interpersonal love, but also love for nature, love for simple things.

Above all, it places an importance in self-expression, the frank communication of feelings, the unbridled, and proud celebration of emotions, be it good or bad.

We are humans, full of emotions that we should be proud of. When you are comfortable with yourself, you are comfortable with having all these myriads of feelings that succeed one another continuously in an endless flux.

I am who I am, and I don't pretend to be not. Love what you love, no apologies.

Be true to yourself and your feelings.

Music

It is like music.
Over time, you identify those songs which you like a lot;
they keep adding up: sometimes a new song just struck a nameless chord in you
and it was instant love.
Eventually it got to the point that you have to listen to them wherever you go
so you burned them into a compilation of favourite songs,
or into your mp3 player, ipod.
And you play it ad infinitum
the same songs over and over again.

Then you realised,
that actually
amongst these songs
there are only 1 or 2 which you really love
from beginning to end.

Sensitive

A man shouldn't be overly sensitive: it would be uncomfortable to stand on a rock which groans and mutters everytime you shift your weight.

It is ok for a woman to be overly-sensitive though.

Why?

What do you mean "why"?? Are you suggesting that we should stand on a woman??

Complicating

You are Complicating my Life; I Hope What you said is Wrong.

Heart

Today, as I was walking out of the Arts canteen, I felt my heart constrict suddenly and painfully, causing me to stumble and cough for breath.

And no, I am not speaking metaphorically (sheesh)... there really is a physical pain, like a hand griping my heart and giving it a thorough squeeze.

And no, I didnt see anything particularly that brought it on. I dont know why it suddenly hurts. Maybe its the sign of the onset of a heart disease.

Brilliance

No one other than you yourself can know exactly how much of that outward brilliance you have is due to luck. A chance statement, a random thought, a fortuitous turn which you never thought amount to anything.

No one, too, would know how much of that apparent simplicity in which you present your brilliance, is the result of how much untold hardwork and brain-wreaking formulations. They just see the end-products, the easily grasped fruits of your labor, and assumed whatever that sounds easy, must have been easy to begin with.

How then, we ask, can anyone reasonably claim to admire your brilliance.

Stupid Struggle

If we do not struggle with life, how do we know we are alive?

Just deleted the game which I have been playing for the past few months; its ruining my life, I cant stop playing it. While I am still roughly consistent in my readings, I can feel myself running a little lag already. So there, it is gone. Poof.

And why do I have to take 2 philosophy modules that I have absolutely no interest in in my last semester? Philosophy is supposed to be fun, not like these two modules. I hate them. Balancing them out is a philo of mind module, which is by far, the module I love most. But even then, its really kind of hard to say its "balanced out". You cant simply cancel the bad things out just because you have good things at the same time. The two modules are still there to irk you.

Torturous

Isn't it enough that I am suffering from one end of the problem already?

Why do I have to be on both ends at the same time?

Why torture me so?

Time

Time really flies, usually when you are not looking, and also when you are looking intently. With a whoosh, 20 odd years went past. Another whoosh, there goes another sem. In fact it never stopped whoosing, and damn it, there goes another day, another hour, another year! (Wait, the stupid clock is spoilt.)

Funny how we think that the hard times are the slowest periods, while the happy times are the fastest to go. I remember for my childhood, thats one of the slowest periods of my life. In fact, it is from P5 to P6 that is the slowest. I hated that time, and I barely survived through it unscathed.

For other periods of my life, they largely went unnoticed. Not to say I dont remember them, but compared to the darker periods, they are almost non-existent. Secondary school and Jc just trotted away at a steady pace.

Even NS swooshed by just like that. I am not one of those guys who looked back and say "well, I hated NS, but now that I am out of it, I am grateful for the experience." I hated it back then, and I hate it even now. I would be infinitely better off if I hadnt gone NS, and what I learnt there isnt so pretty that I find myself grateful for. Those who disagree obviously hadnt injured their backs in NS.

But Uni, now thats a different story. Frankly speaking, in year 1, I was pretty much a loner. That isnt to say I hated that period: I am a loner by nature (or rather, a loner because of the P5-P6 period, but thats another story). However, things can get pretty slow, mundane and draggy if you are a loner. That's one of the reasons why I joined the Arts camp in year 2 i guess. I wanted to join in year 1 already, but couldnt, since I was still in camp. NS ruins my life ya?

After the camp, uni life whooshed past another 2 years, and hey its already the last sem for me, not counting hons year of course. Somehow, the past 3 sems time just sprinted past, even though for most of it I had 5 days week, and insane timetable.

Then the last sem (this sem), time seems to creep. School doesnt hold that much appeal to me anymore. I used to look forward to going school everyday; I hated weekends and free days, hated times when I have to go home. Now I dread going to school, day after day... Something seems to be lost already.

Well, not that I lost the studying fervour. I still love what I do. Its just... school itself.

Limits

When you are feeling happy, don't pull short of feeling bliss; for though we can find joy in every little thing we do, it is not often that we break the lethargy of emptiness, so don't short change yourself in what little we have.

When you are feeling sad, don't stop yourself from plunging either; for expecting of yourself to break the desolate feeling, is both hard and unreasonable. Expectations only lead to disappointment, and further pain. It is really quite impossible to pick yourself up while falling; only when you are at the bottom, can you find your footing again.

Experience only the limits.